Patent Grant
9537259
The invention relates to a plug-type connector arrangement comprising a plug-type connector and an opposing plug-type connector, which each have an insulating housing and plug-type contacts in the insulating housing and plug-type contours configured correspondingly to one another for plugging together and for electrically conductively connecting assigned plug-type contacts in the plugged-together plugging state, and comprising at least one coding element, which can be accommodated displaceably on the plug-type contours of the plug-type connector and opposing plug-type connector and fixes a permissible plug-in position for plugging together the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a coding element for such a plug-type connector arrangement and to a method for coding such a plug-type connector arrangement using at least one such coding element.
In plug-type connector arrangements, the plug-type contours are each matched to one another by virtue of shaping of the insulating housings in such a way that a plug-type connector in a permissible plug-in position can be connected to an opposing plug-type connector and erroneous plugging is safely prevented.
However, there are use sectors in which identical plug-type connectors or opposing plug-type connectors are used for different functions and a replacement of such plug-type connectors needs to be safely prevented. In this regard, it is known to provide the plug-type connectors and/or the opposing plug-type connectors with separate coding elements, which are necessarily fitted on the plug-type contour of the insulating housings.
DE 10 2011 051 567 B4 discloses a plug-type connection arrangement comprising a coding element, which is in the form of an elongate coding pin for arrangement in a groove-shaped recess in the plug-type connection arrangement. The coding element has a varying width and an outwardly curved region. A cutout is provided between the mutually opposite side faces in the region of the curvatures, said cutout having a spring effect on the coding element in order to introduce the curved side faces with a precise fit into the groove-shaped recess and to hold them there.
EP 2 091 108 A1 discloses a plug-type connection in which coding elements are prefitted as a prefittable unit on in each case at least one of the plug-type connector parts. During axial plugging-together of the two plug-type connector parts for the first time, one of the two coding elements prefitted for the coding is fixed on the respective other plug-type connector part and, once the plugged-together plug-type connector parts are released for the first time, remains on this other plug-type connector part. Two associated coding elements forming a coding apparatus are thus first fitted together on a first plug-type connector part and delivered with this. During first use, the coding elements are then separated and one of the coding elements of the first plug-type connector part latches with the corresponding coding element and with the second plug-type connector part. During later use of the plug-type connectors, coding is achieved by the now separated coding elements.
EP 0 235 339 A1 discloses a multipole plug-type connector, whose plug-in part and female connector part have a contour which is matched to one another, which contours together form plug-type receptacles for coding elements which can be inserted thereon. For this purpose, dovetail guides and additional grooves and ribs are provided on the upper side of the plug part or on the upper inner wall of the male connector part. The coding elements are pushed into the dovetail guides.
GB 1 568 189 A discloses a plug-type connector arrangement comprising a coding element, which has a tapered end. The coding element is inserted with the broader end into a plug-type connector and held there. When an opposing plug-type connector is plugged on, the tapered end enters a contour of the opposing plug-type connector without entering into a force-fitting connection.
Against this background, the object of the present invention consists in providing an improved plug-type connector arrangement and an improved coding element and a method for coding a plug-type connector arrangement.
The object is achieved by the plug-type connector having the features of Claim 1 and by the coding element having the features of Claim 12 and by the method having the features of Claim 17. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.
For a plug-type connector arrangement formed from a plug-type connector and an opposing plug-type connector and at least one coding element, it is proposed that the plug-type contours both of the plug-type connector and of the opposing plug-type connector have connecting elements. Furthermore, the at least one coding element has at least two connecting elements which are spaced apart from one another. The connecting elements of the coding element are designed to be detachably connected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to a respectively assigned connecting element of the plug-type connector or the opposing plug-type connector. The at least one coding element is accessible and displaceable from the outside in the state in which the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector are at least partially plugged together. The form-fitting detachable connection of the assigned connecting elements can be detached from the coding element and the plug-type connector, and the coding element, once it has been displaced in the direction of the opposing plug-type connector by means of the assigned connecting element of the coding element and the opposing plug-type connector, can now be connected to the opposing plug-type connector.
In accordance with the teaching of the present invention, the coding element is thus connectable in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner either to the plug-type connector or to the opposing plug-type connector. This form-fitting connection can be canceled in order to connect the coding element optionally either to the plug-type connector or to the opposing plug-type connector in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner.
The coding element is therefore, so to speak, latched over in order to thus fix a specific coding of the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector.
In the delivery state, the coding element is delivered connected in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner to the plug-type connector or the opposing plug-type connector. On first use, latching over of at least one selected coding element can take place, which coding element is then detached from the plug-type connector and connected to the opposing plug-type connector, or vice versa. It is also conceivable for selected coding elements also provided and connected to be completely removed from the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector prior to said coding elements being plugged together. The displacement and “latching over” of the coding element is made possible by virtue of the fact that the coding element has in each case one connecting element for the plug-type connector and for the opposing plug-type connector, which connecting elements are spaced apart from one another. For this purpose, the connecting elements can be opposite one another, for example in the direction of longitudinal extent of the coding element, i.e. can be arranged at the diametrically opposite end regions of the coding element. However, it is also conceivable for the connecting elements to be opposite one another transversely to the direction of longitudinal extent. They can then still be spaced apart from one another in the direction of longitudinal extent, if required.
The coding element therefore has a guide contour for receiving, in linearly displaceable fashion, on a plug-type connector and an opposing plug-type connector of the plug-type connector arrangement as well as connecting elements which are spaced apart from one another (for example at mutually opposite end sections) for detachable form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection to a respectively assigned plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector. In the plugged-together state of the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector, the coding element is therefore connected to the plug-type connector or to the opposing plug-type connector detachably and in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner. The connection can be changed by displacing the coding element once the detachable connection has been canceled.
The coding of a plug-type connector arrangement therefore takes place by
The coding elements can therefore already be fitted on a first plug-type connector component part in the factory. The coding can be adjusted individually by the user by displacing and latching selected coding elements on the second plug-type connector component part, if required. Therefore, no separate coding elements other than individual parts still to be fitted by the user are provided any more.
A plug-type connector is understood to mean a male connector part or female connector part, and an opposing plug-type connector is understood to mean the plug-type connector part corresponding thereto, i.e. in the case of a male connector a female connector part or in the case of a female connector part the male connector part.
A detachable connection is understood to mean that the connecting element of the male connector part or opposing male connector part engages with the connecting element of the coding element one inside the other in such a way that the two connection partners, namely the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector and the coding element connected thereto can no longer readily be detached from one another. This is achieved, for example, by virtue of the fact that a section of one connecting element is in the way of a section of the other connecting element as the coding element is withdrawn and therefore forms a stop, i.e. latching. However, it is also conceivable for the connection to be provided by a force-fitting connection, in which a connecting element exerts a force on the assigned other connecting element. This can take place, for example, by a spring arm of the coding element, which, by virtue of friction locking, provides a detachable connection between the coding element and the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector. However, a combination of a form-fitting and a force-fitting detachable connection is also conceivable.
The connecting elements of the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector are preferably in the form of latching troughs. The connecting elements of the at least one coding element, on the other hand, are in the form of latching fingers. In this case, the latching fingers and latching troughs have a contour which is adapted for plugging a latching finger into a latching trough and for detachably connecting the latching finger plugged into the latching trough by means of a latching stop and/or by means of a force-fitting connection. It is thus conceivable for the latching finger to be plugged into a latching trough and for friction locking to be exerted on the inner wall of the latching trough with the aid of a projecting section or spring arm. This needs to be overcome in order to detach the connection and displace the coding element. Such a displacement can be achieved, for example, with the aid of a screwdriver acting from the outside on the coding element. In this case, the coding element is nevertheless still secured on the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector in such a way that it cannot readily fall out in the non-plugged-together state.
In another embodiment, however, the latching finger and the latching trough can also form a latching stop for forming a form-fitting connection. For this purpose, the latching finger can have a latching projection, which interacts with a depression in the latching trough. The latching fingers in this case preferably extend in the direction of longitudinal extent of the coding pin. In this case, in each case one latching finger is provided preferably on both sides of the coding pin at the mutually diametrically opposite ends. These latching fingers in this case have laterally protruding latching projections, with which the coding element can be fixed detachably and in a form-fitting manner on the assigned connecting element of the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector. The latching troughs are preferably in the form of grooves having depressions in the groove walls for receiving assigned latching projections of a latching finger, plugged into the latching trough, of a coding element.
However, a reverse variant is also conceivable, in which the connecting elements of the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector are in the form of latching fingers and the connecting elements of the coding element are in the form of latching troughs. The latching fingers and the latching troughs in this case have a contour which is adapted for plugging a latching finger into a latching trough and for detachably connecting, in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner, the latching finger plugged into a latching trough by means of a latching stop and/or a force-fitting connection.
A further preferred embodiment provides that the coding element has, on mutually diametrically opposite sides which face the plug-type connector on one side and the opposing plug-type connector on the other side in the plugged-in state, in each case one locking groove running in the direction of longitudinal extent of the coding element. Locking lugs protrude from the adjoining face of the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector. Depending on the plug-in position, a locking lug protrudes into an assigned locking groove and forms a stop, which secures the coding element in the plug-in position either on the plug-type connector or on the opposing plug-type connector. The other locking lug in this case does not protrude into the assigned locking nut.
It is particularly advantageous if the plug-type contours of the plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector have linear guides for receiving, in linearly displaceable fashion, at least one coding element.
The at least one coding element then has a guide contour which is matched to the linear guide. Thus, the at least one coding element is held and guided in linearly displaceable fashion on a plug-type connector and the opposing plug-type connector.
The guide contour of the at least one coding element and the linear guide can in this case preferably form a dovetail guide. Thus, the coding element is not only guided linearly, but is also held on a plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector.
The dovetail guide can be realized by virtue of the fact that the coding element has, on mutually opposite side faces, in each case one groove extending in the direction of longitudinal extent of the coding element and having walls which slope or curve towards one another.
It is particularly advantageous if the at least one coding element has protruding holding knobs on mutually opposite sides. In this case, the linear guides have a holding section, in which a holding strip formed by the linear guide rests in a force-fitting manner on an assigned holding knob of an inserted coding pin, which is connected to the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector. Furthermore, the linear guides having a widened withdrawal section, in which the linear guide is not in engagement with an assigned holding knob. By virtue of the force-fitting connection between the at least one holding strip of the plug-type connector and the assigned holding knob of the coding element, the coding element is connected to the plug-type connector. There is then no form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection between the coding element and the opposing plug-type connector even in the plug-in state of the opposing plug-type connector, which is plugged onto the plug-type connector. Only by virtue of latching over can the force-fitting connection with the plug-type connector be canceled in the case of a displacement of the coding element and a force-fitting connection between the holding strips of the opposing plug-type connector and the assigned holding knobs of the coding element be produced. Once the coding element has been displaced and connected to the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector, the holding knob is therefore moved into a position in which it bears in a force-fitting manner against the holding strip in the narrower holding section.
In this case, it is particularly advantageous if in each case two holding knobs are provided on the diametrically opposite side walls. The pairs of holding knobs are then arranged on a side wall in each case so as to be vertically offset and offset with respect to one another in the direction of longitudinal extent of the coding element. Thus, the plug-in direction and plug-in position of the coding element is as desired.
The at least one coding element is particularly advantageously mirror-symmetrical or point-symmetrical, with the result that the coding element can be inserted into an assigned linear guide of the plug-type connector or opposing plug-type connector and latched there irrespective of the plug-in direction and the orientation.
“Latching” is understood to mean detachable connection in the broadest sense, such as a form-fitting connection, for example with the aid of a stop, a force-fitting connection or a combination thereof.
The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment using the attached drawings, in which:
The plug-type contour 7 of the plug-type connector 2 and the corresponding plug-type contour 8 of the opposing plug-type connector 3 have linear guides, (not visible) on their upper side, for example, for receiving, in linearly displaceable fashion, at least one coding element 9. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, these linear guides are in the form of a groove with sloping sections of the side walls in order to form a dovetail guide. A T-shaped groove is also conceivable as guide profile or the like.
The coding elements 9 then have a corresponding contour matched thereto in order to be mounted in linearly displaceable fashion in the dovetail guide. It becomes clear that the linear guides have receiving pockets 10 comprising connecting means 11a, 11b in the end regions of said linear guides, wherein the free ends 12a, 12b of the coding elements 9 which are diametrically opposite one another in the direction of longitudinal extent and point in opposite directions from one another, can be detachably connected to said connecting elements by means of a form-fitting connection. These connecting elements 11a, 11b of the receiving pockets 10 are in the form of latching troughs, for example, which provide a latching stop for a connecting element 13a, 13b, inserted into the latching trough, of a coding element 9, which connecting element can be formed, for example, by means of latching projections at the respective free end 12a, 12b in the form of latching fingers. Thus, a stop is formed by a form-fitting connection, which stop prevents easy displacement of the coding element 9 without any further application of force from the outside.
In the delivery state, the coding elements 9 are already inserted in the plug-type connector 2 or the opposing plug-type connector 3 and are detachably connected there to one another with their corresponding connecting elements 11a, 13a; 11b, 13b by means of a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection.
The latching fingers (i.e. the connecting elements 13a, 13b) are accessible in the region of the connecting elements 11a, 11b of the receiving pockets 10 of the linear guides from the outside, in the plug-in state illustrated. Thus, a coding element 9 can be “latched over” if required by virtue of, for example, the form-fitting connection and/or force-fitting connection between the coding element 9 and the connecting element 13a or 13b being canceled with the aid of a screwdriver and the coding element 9 being displaced towards the opposite connecting element 13b or 13a in order to be latched there (i.e. in order to be connected detachably there in a form-fitting and/or force-fitting manner) in the linear guide. This takes place in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in such a way that the front coding element 9 (in the viewing direction) is latched over towards the opposing plug-type connector 3 and is now connected to the opposing plug-type connector 3. The other two coding elements 9, on the other hand, are still connected to the plug-type connector 2, as in the delivery state. Thus, coding of the plug-type connector 2 and the opposing plug-type connector 3 is achieved which enables only one correspondingly coded plug-type connector 2 to be plugged together with the opposing plug-type connector 3 and therefore prevents erroneous plugging of plug-type connectors 2 and opposing plug-type connectors 3 which do not match one another.
It can furthermore be seen that a latching tab 14 is provided on the side wall of the insulating housing 6 of the opposing plug-type connector 3. A protruding latching lug 15 is arranged on the side wall of the insulating housing 4 of the plug-type connector 2. In the plug-in state illustrated, the protruding latching lug 15 enters a latching opening 16 in the latching tab 14 in order to thus prevent the opposing plug-type connector 3 from being withdrawn from the plug-type connector 2 in an undesirable manner. Such a latching tab 14 can also be provided additionally on the opposite side of the opposing plug-type connector 3. Correspondingly, a latching lug 15 is then also provided on the opposite side wall of the insulating housing 4 of the plug-type connector 2.
The latching-over of the coding elements 9 is thus enabled in the plug-in state (as can be seen from
It is also shown that, in the latching state illustrated, the latching tab 14 terminates flush with the side wall of the insulating housing 6 of the opposing plug-type connector 3 and the latching lug 15 of the plug-type connector 2 protrudes slightly out of the plane of the surface of the latching tab 14. In this case, such latching lugs 15 are provided on both side walls of the plug-type connector 2 and corresponding latching tabs 14 on the opposing plug-type connector 3, diametrically opposite one another.
Owing to the fact that the coding elements 9 are formed from an elastically deformable plastic material, the latching projections 18 are pressed into the assigned receiving pocket 10, which is narrower than the main section of the linear guide, at the end of the linear guides until they enter the assigned latching troughs (i.e. the connecting elements 11a, 11b) and a latching stop for form-fitting connection of the coding element 9 and the receiving pockets 10 of the linear guide is provided there. Alternatively, instead of the latching fingers and latching troughs, latching hooks or latching tabs can also be provided, which interact with latching projections in order to provide a form-fitting stop and possibly a force-fitting connection. Also conceivable is a reverse variant, in which the latching troughs are provided at the free ends 12a, 12b of the coding elements 9 and enter into a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection with latching projections in the receiving pockets 10.
It is furthermore shown that the diametrically mutually opposite side walls 19 of the coding elements 9 slope towards one another in order to form a guide contour, which is matched to the contour of the linear guides. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, a groove is provided by the sloping or curved side walls 19 on the diametrically opposite side walls 19 of the coding elements 9, said groove providing a dovetail guide with the linear guide of the plug-type connectors 2 and the opposing plug-type connector 3. It can furthermore be seen that in each case two holding knobs 20 are arranged on the side walls 19 so as to be offset in the direction of longitudinal extent L on two different vertical planes, i.e. also vertically offset, which holding knobs protrude from the plane of the guide contour formed on the side wall 19. In each case two such holding knobs 20 are arranged on the diametrically opposite side so as to be vertically offset in relation to the upper side and lower side of the coding element 9 on a plane and so as to be offset with respect to one another in the direction of longitudinal extent L. In this case, the holding knobs 20 are arranged in such a way that the coding element 9 is point-symmetrical.
This point-symmetrical configuration of the coding element 9 is shown more clearly in the plan view of the coding element 9 from
It is furthermore shown that the latching projections 18 of the latching fingers 13 provide an oval latching projection in cross section.
It is furthermore shown that the now visible linear guides 21 have holding strips 22 on the plug-type contour 7 on the upper side of the plug-type connector 2. In each case mutually opposite holding strips 22 which point towards one another are arranged in the linear guide 21 in such a way that they enter the guide contour of an inserted coding element 9 and hold the coding element 9 at least in the latching position illustrated, in which it is connected to the plug-type connector 2.
It can furthermore be seen that the holding strips 22 do not extend over the entire length of the linear guide 21 of the plug-type connector 2, but end before the free end of the plug-type connector 2. The holding strips 22 then only act on the holding knobs when the coding element 9 is displaced in the direction of the connecting element 11a, 11b, i.e. in the direction of the latching trough in the receiving pocket 10 of the linear guide 21. This latching trough is arranged on both sides in the side walls of the receiving pocket 10 at the ends of the groove forming the linear guide 21.
It can furthermore be seen that plug-type contacts 23 are arranged in the interior of the insulating housing 4. For this purpose, the plug-type contour 7 has protective sleeves 24, which are formed integrally, i.e. without any joins, with the insulating housing 4 from insulating material and surround the assigned plug-type contacts 23. The opposing plug-type connector 3 is now inserted with its corresponding plug-type contacts into the opening in the protective sleeves 24, with the result that the plug-type contacts of the opposing plug-type connector 3 in the plug-in state come into electrically conductive contact with the plug-type contacts 23 of the plug-type connector 2.
It can also be seen that likewise a holding strip 22 with a shortened length is provided on the opposite side (in comparison with
The linear guide 21 is then supplemented by a corresponding guide contour on the inner side of the insulating housing 6 of the opposing plug-type connector 3 in order to provide a dovetail guide. It can be seen that the coding element 9 protrudes out of the plane of the upper side of the plug-type contour 7 of the plug-type connector 2, which is formed by the protective sleeves 24.
It can also be seen that the plug-type contacts 26 of the opposing plug-type connector 3 protrude as blade contacts in order to come into electrically conductive contact with mutually opposite spring clips of the plug-type connector 2, which form a fork contact.
It can also be seen that in each case one dedicated protective sleeve 24 is provided for each pole, i.e. for each plug-type contact. An intermediate wall 29 of the opposing plug-type connector 3 (cf.
A latching finger (i.e. the free end 12a, 12b with the locking element 13a, 13b) facing the opposing plug-type contact 3 can then enter the receiving pocket 10 and latch on the assigned locking element 11a, 11b, which is formed by the latching trough in the receiving pocket 10.
Furthermore, it is shown that the coding elements 9 or the linear guides 21 for the coding elements 9 are arranged laterally offset with respect to the plug-type contacts 23. By virtue of different offsets, the coding possibilities can be increased.
It can furthermore be seen that the coding elements 9 protrude beyond the plane of the upper side of the protective sleeves 24, i.e. the plug-type contour 7, in order to interact with a linear guide of the opposing plug-type connector 3.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2014 107 948 | Jun 2014 | DE | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3656086 | Debaigt | Apr 1972 | A |
| 4747792 | Strate | May 1988 | A |
| 4813892 | Strate | Mar 1989 | A |
| 5044994 | Van Woensel | Sep 1991 | A |
| 6383032 | Gerberding | May 2002 | B1 |
| 7997941 | Pfaffenbach | Aug 2011 | B2 |
| 8888522 | Schrader | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 8911263 | Becavin | Dec 2014 | B2 |
| 20150357754 | Mastel | Dec 2015 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 27 08 291 | Aug 1978 | DE |
| 10 2011 051 567 | Jan 2013 | DE |
| 0 235 339 | Sep 1987 | EP |
| 2 091 108 | Aug 2009 | EP |
| 1 568 189 | May 1980 | GB |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20150357756 A1 | Dec 2015 | US |
